Sunday April 8

The final day of the regular season. A time at which some teams can rejoice others recoil. Vacation plans can now be made for many of hockey's most beleaguered teams while others prepare mentally for the task at hand, the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Islanders pulled off a thriller on Sunday blowing a late 2-0 and then, barely breathing, winning in the SO. Shootout for a playoff spot must be a dream for Gary Bettman and the entire NHL. The validation for the one-on-one test of goalie vs. shooter. But this is not about the impressive and heart stopping efforts of the Islanders. It is about the Former Islanders who scratch, claw and make an effort throughout the league. The castoff talents we call FIs. In last 5 games of the season FIs scored an assist and took a loss in net. Here is the breakdown:

• Jeff Hamilton finished his breakout season with the Blackhawks with an assist on Chicago's last goal of the year in their 3-2 road loss to the Dallas Stars. An impressive first full season Hamilton scored 18 goals and 21 assists for 39 points in 70 games. Considering how bad Chicago finished Hamitlon did well with a -4 rating, 3 powerplay goals, 11 powerplay assists and 4 game winners. On 138 shots Hamilton scored a 13% clip.
• Jamie McLennan made a rare start for the Calgary Flames in their 6-3 loss to the host Avalanche. Only his 8th start of the season and 9th appearance McLennan filled in for the resting Miikka Kiprusoff. Calgary could afford the loss owing to Colorado's self-elimination from playoff contention the night before. In sum McLennan stopped 26 of 32 shots and finished the year 3-5-1 with a .895 save percentage and a 3.60 goals against average. Odds are we will not be seeing much of McLenna in the playoffs this spring.

That is for the regular season here at FIW. Stay posted for all the FI playoff action in the coming days.